Sick Hamster

[Ruby07]

The other day I looked at my hamster and literally overnight she developed a large lump on her neck (internally), which is sort of sagging down between her front paws. She does not seem to be bothered by it at all. She is acting normal, running around. She does not appear to be in any pain. I'm not sure what it is. It could be cancer or a tumor, or who knows what. I was going to take her to the vet today but they are closed so I have to wait another day. I'm so scared I don't want her to die.

Does anyone know what this could be? Any treatment? Anything I can do to help? Any types of food that could increase her chances of survival and/or healing?

[malewitch42]

if its medical id leave the treatment to the vet but u could do some healing with her ill light some casndles and send some healing energies

[ThunderWolf]

I'm not trying to be cruel by saying this. Just trying to interject a small bit of reason. But death is a part of life. I understand you very well not wanting her to die. I'm still dealing with the death of the most loyal, loving cat I could ever imagine existing on December 1st. All that being said, based upon a pet rat I once had it sounds to me like it might be a mammary tumor. If it's high up on the neck chances are that it's something else. But if it's lower on the neck I think it could be a possibility. I'm not familiar with where the mammary glands are on hamsters, and they're so small that it seems it might appear to be the lower neck if that's what it is. In any case, Belladonna's mammary tumors didn't seem to bother her, and they were soft and malleable. One thing I can't stress enough, though, is not to put pressure on it. Should it be a cancerous tumor that ruptures that would certainly spread the cancer to the rest of the body. Whatever it is I wish you the best!

[Ken Ra]

There is nothing that says that you could not give the critter healing energy. We have hundreds of times the Bio-mass of a hamster, so it has a better chance of working.  Give it a try, just remember that no healer is always successful. 

[Ruby07]

Thanks everyone!

[Ann Cash]

My niece...my 26 year old ADULT niece...recently lost her pet hamster to breast cancer. For several months before the hamster finally passed away, she and her boyfriend borrowed money to have a vet perform surgery to remove the tumor. They had after surgery treatments, and numerous house visits from the vet. They spent hundreds of dollars on an animal that has a natural life expectancy of 2-3 years. Then they had it cremated (more money they didn't really have), and held a "memorial" at a local pub for it. No, I'm not kidding. I love my niece, and it was all I could do to hold my tongue regarding the wasteful spending involved in the vet bills over that hamster, especially since I know she and her boyfriend borrow money from my retired mother-in-law all the time.

I realize this makes me sound heartless, but I'm not. With only a few exceptions, I love animals more than people. But it's a hamster! They only live a short time anyway, and I believe it's unethical of a vet to bilk money out of people for pets based on their emotional attachments. I don't believe in letting any animal suffer, but death comes to all things. When a hamster develops tumors, it's the cycle of life at work. Sometimes we need to accept that, enjoy them while they live, and put them to rest when life is over. To avoid the pain of losing a beloved pet, I would suggest getting something that has a longer lifespan when choosing your next pet. Love this one while it's still with you, but allow it to move on without the suffering of being poked, prodded, and cut on by a vet who is making a living off your emotional attachments.
BB  Ann

[LupusStormDancer]

Oh my goodness the things people will do for pets sometimes is just above and beyond XP I do have to say though I would do anything for my dog and my horse. My horse once got a REALLY bad case of colic I spent ALL night with him making sure he didn't roll. I probably talked to the Goddess non stop that night Mercury means the world to me. He has saved my life in more ways than you could imagen. I understand that bond with an animal. I hope your hamster will be alright, and that whatever it is isn't cancerous. I will send healing energy to her.

[Ann Cash]

I agree, but I also don't think there's any comparison between a dog, horse, or hamster. Like I said, their natural life span is only 2-3 years at most. If you have plenty of money to spend on vet bills, then by all means do it. Otherwise, you have to be practical about it. A horse or a dog is not only a pet. It's an investment, and an interactive part of your family for years. Though I wouldn't advise going too far with vet treatments, I would advise caring for your pet in a loving, humane way. I too will send healing energy to your pet, as well as to you in your worries for it.
BB  Ann

[ThunderWolf]

I don't know how interactive (or not interactive) hamsters are personally. I do know that rats also have a lifespan of generally 2-3 years and that they are incredibly interactive, loving pets. The one I mentioned earlier in this thread was my first and longest lived. I did get surgery for her first mammary tumors, but it wasn't so expensive that I had to borrow money to do it. (And I live on SSI!)

When they came back and she didn't seem to be in any pain from them the doctor recommended that I not keep sinking money into having them surgically removed. He felt that it would be an ongoing battle for the rest of her life and that as long as she didn't seem to be in any pain that she should just be allowed to live out the rest of her natural life without the expense of having them removed.

I don't regret getting her that 1st (and only) surgery for them one bit. I know I did right by a beloved pet who loved me in return. That being said, after losing so many rats in such a short timeframe I got burnt out on losing them and started keeping guinea pigs. They live (I believe) 5-7 years. They're different than rats but every bit as interactive and just as loving. They aren't as smart as rats, but who's keeping pet rodents to teach them to sit up and roll over, etc? I didn't do that with my rats, and for my purposes in keeping them as pets there's no required intelligence on their part lacking.

So, you love your pet and want to do the best you can to do right by it. That's understandable. But when s/he does pass I would also strongly agree that a longer lived pet might be a good idea.

[Ken Ra]

We are Gods to our pets. We provide food and a secure home. They are someone for us to love and care about who wont betray us, and return our love. As their God we have a personal responsibility to them. I had one of my dearest friends killed by the Vet. It saved him from needless pain, set him free and hurt me almost beyond measure. Still,  I resent    ( inadequate word that )   the Vet trying to make a buck off of my pain and guilt.

I dug his grave I wrapped him in our tartan and put the pentacle he deserved but could not wear in life on his collar. I was his God.